Water inlet painted or plated?

[RPOLS3]

Doing some under hood detailing on the Chevelle.......

I understand that the heater hose inlet on water pumps should be unpainted (silver cad plated?) and not painted orange as it was installed after paint - is this correct?

In regards to the heater hose inlet on a painted intake - was that installed prior to painting or not (painted or leave it plated)?

Thanks in advance